Overrated?


Could someone explain to me what they find so good about WALL-E? It ranks highest on many Pixar lists, while I find Finding Nemo or Ratatouille much better films. I just can't understand what people love about this. It doesn't move me like other Pixar films.

reply

One of its most crowning achievements, for me, was the fact that the two main protagonists - both WALL*E and EVE - were able to display such an encompassing and sprawling set of emotions, as well as portray a story so nimbly, without any dialogue at all, except for the occasionally "EEEEEEVA" and "Directive".

Silent filmmakers such as Mr. Chaplin have been doing this for years; but WALL*E is unique in the fact that an animated robot is able to visually convey fear, despair, happiness, excitement, boredom, pain, and love with it's motions alone. WALL*E, despite being animated, doesn't even have a true "face" to work with, but as an audience, we have no trouble understanding what WALL*E is feeling at any given moment. This speaks volumes about the animation work.

Not only that, but WALL*E is similar to most other Pixar films in that the characters are so loveable and full of life right from the start that you immediately become emotionally invested in them. Pixar is probably the only studio that can have you feeling upset when a robot runs over his cockroach friend.

The only thing I didn't like about WALL*E was that the overall "message" of the distant future human race - being slaves to technology & consumerism - was a little over-the-top and blatantly in-your-face. However you have to remember that WALL*E is still a kid's film and so the main story-telling points are often exaggerated to make for easier understanding.

Overall, I loved it. It's definitely in the Top 5 animated films I've seen, and probably Top 3 from Pixar (Toy Story 1 & 3 would probably be the other two). It's unique, it's fun, it's sad, it's got a little bit of everything.

reply

The first half is so well done with its visual story telling and ability to get you to care about a machine. Then the second half comes in when they get on the ship, and the whole movie slows to a grinding halt. I wish the 2nd act was as good as the 1st.

reply

Nailed it.
Second half almost ruined it, IMO.
I'm baffled as to why this is rated higher than at least four other Pixar films that, IMO, are better yet rated lower

reply

same here: it became worse as soon as the fat humans showed up....i was looking forward to a movie only with robots and almost no dialogue at all....that would have been much better

They hate us 'cause they ain't us

reply

I was really hoping Fred Willard would be the only "person" in the movie. Every time he shows up in a role, I have to chuckle. The captain character was disappointing, but I still enjoy the movie.

reply

What tectactoe said. And several times repeated. Except for the part about the second act. Yeah, it was a little ham fisted, but the humans were just scenery in the flick.

WALL-E and EVE emoted more with a ten word vocabulary than most real life actors ever manage.

Not to take away from other Pixar features, or any other animated features, but the two robots in WALL-E are absolutely wonderful characters in a very charming love story that works with virtually no words, and emotions expressed strictly by cartoon facial expressions and robotic voice tones.

reply

Underrated. One of my all time favorite films. Nemo and Ratatouille are also great but Wall E is a more emotional story. Wall E is an everyday joe in robot terms. A lonely nobody who does his 9 to 5 day after day and then falls for a girl way out of his league and in the end wins her over with his bravery and sincerity. He is exactly the kind of character that people want to see 'live' happily ever after. The story was well written and animated, Wall E really came to life on the big screen.

reply

Severely Underrated!

reply

I just don't see what people find good or great about this. I can handle no dialogue even for long periods, but this is just boring and nothing special. I even find the first Cars movie way more entertaining.

reply

Squeaking vacuum cleaner rolling around in a maudlin story with a simplistic message. Yes, over-overrated.

reply